JACK’s
FEST IVAL GUIDE
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WHO DO YOU WANT TO SEE? Arcade Fire ~ #8 Biffy Clyro ~ #8 Calvin Harris ~ #44 #26 Dizzie Rascal ~ #40 #38 #10 #8 Ellie Goulding ~ #38 #14 #10 Florence and the Machine ~ #44 #40 #36 #14 Gorillaz ~ #28 Kings of Leon ~ #14 La Roux ~ #44 #10 Laura Marling ~ #36 LCD Sound System ~ #10 The Libertines ~ #8 Mumford and Sons ~ #40 #36 #8 Paloma Faith ~ #44 #14 Paul Weller ~ #38 #14 Temper Trap ~ #40 #36 #14 #10 The Cribs ~ #8 The XX ~ #10 Two Door Cinema Club ~ #8 Vampire Weekend ~ #44 #40 #36 #18
Have a favourite band? Find out where they are playing. Want to make sure you know all the tracks your hearing? Pick up the albums from zavvi.com and get listening. Here are our favourites, find out what festival they are playing at and their latest album available at zavvi.com below in handy alphabetical order.
Buy Neon Bible £9.75 Buy Only Revolutions £6.95 Buy Ready for the Weekend £5.75 Buy Showtime £6.65 Buy Lights £8.95 Buy Lungs £8.95 Buy Plastic Beach £11.95 Buy Only By The Night £5.00 Buy La Roux £4.85 Buy I Speak Because I Can £7.95 Buy Sound Of Silver £5.99 Buy Time for Heroes £8.95 Buy Sigh No More £8.95 Buy Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful £6.95 Buy Wake Up The Nation £8.95 Buy The Conditions £7.95 Buy Ignore The Ignorant £13.99 Buy XX £7.65 Buy Tourist History £7.95 Buy Contra £7.95
CO NTE NTS #6.....The Essentials #8..... Leeds and Reading #10... Bestival #12... Festival Wear for the Girls #14... V Festival #16... Festival Wear for the Boys #18... Rockness #20... Just Don’t Miss... #24... Want a Tent? #25... Want a Ticket? #26... Kendal Calling #28... Secret Garden #30... Let Zippo light your fire #32... Standon Calling #36... Lattitude #38... Lovebox #40... T in the Park #42... The Blaggers Guide #44... Isle of Wight #46... Looking for Something a bit Different? #47... Relentless blogging competition #48... SW4 Weekend #50... Lounge on the Farm
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Jack’s been to a lot of festivals. We’ve sat in a lot of loos, our noses held with one hand, the other on the door- holding it shut because it’s subsided on wet ground and doesn’t shut properly any more. We have walked with large rucksacks for miles only to realise we are in the furthest campsite from the action and had our tents sabotaged with processed cheese. We have tried to wee in ditches and fallen in other peoples deposits, we’ve tripped over fires, lost our friends, danced so hard we’ve collapsed and eaten so many burgers that we probably left a stone heavier than we arrived. And so, in light of all this we thought it only right to get all our experience together to make your festival experience the best one ever. As part of this extremely generous act we have put together a list of must-go-to festivals and been kindly helped along the way by zavvi.com because we all know that being in a big tent with a big anthemic song is not nearly as enjoyable if you don’t know it. We have then added in a few handy extras such as festival essentials, festival wear, a blaggers guide and the bands you simply can’t miss. So find your soundtracks to the Summer, get your pick of the best festivals and make them last well past home time with Jack and zavvi.com.
THE ESSEN TIALS
Is that a tent in your back pack? Or are you just happy to be camping? The weekender essentials :
words : LOF
THE CAMPER WILL NEED TENT - A tent is essential, which is why it is
in the essentials list. Without a tent you will be forced to find a new friend each day (or maybe just the first day if you are good at keeping friends when tired and a bit drunk). Either way, sharing a tent with those you don’t know is no fun, nor is the prospect of failing at finding a generous tent owner. Your only other option will be to buy an incredibly over priced one when you arrive, you don’t want to waste your cash that way...
BOOTS - Boots will almost certainly come into
play, more certainly if you don’t pack them. Whether you go for full on plastic wellies or a Dr Marten type variety you will be happy once the rain and, or mud sets in. We would also suggest a spare pair of socks as boots are no good if they get wet inside. See plastic bag...
FLIP FLOPS - These are lightweight so easy to pack or even tie onto your rucksack/chosen sack type product. If there is no rain and it is a scorching hot weekend you will not want to be wearing boots, you will also want something to protect your feet from the bottom of festival showers...
A BOTTLE - An empty bottle is more than
useful, it will enable you to bring water back to the tent, brush your teeth, quench a dry morning mouth and possibly smuggle other alcohol into prohibited areas.
TICKETS - Without these, they won’t let you
in. There is the option of touts that nowadays are forced to sell day tickets the same price, if not cheaper than the original price, however you have to take the risk of none being left and this won’t work at all for Glastonbury. A word to the wise though, Reading and Leeds usually release a bunch of extra tickets on the weekend of the festival that you can buy on site.
CASH - Very important. There are usually cash
machines on site these days but they run out of money fast and we won’t mention the queuing involved...
FRIENDS - Festivals are no fun on your own, similarly, most of us agree that they are also no fun if attended alone with a partner or spouse. It’s all about the big group.
DRY SHAMPOO AND WET WIPES -
These will keep you clean, or at least give the illusion that you are clean if there is no shower option or you simply don’t want to waste your time queueing for a shower when you have paid good money to be watching bands and reveling in glorious sweaty hangovers in your tent.
PLASTIC BAG - Anything you can think ofa plastic bag will help with. Wet socks, carrying things like wood, global warming, a rain proof hat, a hole in your tent, a mat to sit on, a flag, shoe covers, shoe lining, the list goes on... SUN TAN LOTION - No one likes to get burnt.
PHONE - It may not last long but it will be good while it does. We eagerly await the excellent drunken twitter ramblings and completely twitter stalkery meet ups that will occur over the festival months this year. SOMETHING WITH A ZIP - Zipped
pockets, bum-bags or shoulder bags are the best form of transportation for all things important during the day. They will not hinder jumping, sitting and general crowd mingling yet they will hinder thieves. This mentality will not work with your tent and you should simply avoid leaving anything that might tempt sticky fingers in there as a rule.
A BIG JUMPER - You will want this come
evening and a word to all boys, yours are highly likely to be stolen if offered up or merely left unattended come sundown.
TOILET ROLL - Is it not obvious? If the loos
have this in the first place they won’t after about 2 hours.
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ALCOHOL - Some might see this as controversial but come on... who doesn’t enjoy a drink (responsibly) at a festival? And who doesn’t enjoy a drink even more if it is essentially free because it was brought from home. The time will come when the bars close, and when they do you will be so, so glad you lugged that 12 pack of beer up on your day of arrival and then kept it stocked by popping to the ‘swap a warm beer for a cold beer’ tent (normally at Reading/Leeds) when people start offering you money for them - a fiver a can? Yeah sure. MAC IN A BAG - Not strictly essential but
an outright luxury when used. The mac in a bag is lightweight enough to be carried with you all day and normally has that oh-so-important zip up front pocket to make the sunglasses to rain wear transition that is so predictable with UK festivals.
FAGS - Whether you are a smoker or not you
are going to want cigarettes at a festival. Either you will decide you quite like the idea of being a smoker for the weekend (you will be drinking beer outdoors in the sun.. it kind of makes sense) or you will want to use them as bribes or to make friends. People get very excited about cigarettes when they run out themselves...
A LIGHTER - This will be used to light your campfire, light a pretty girls cigarette, or your own, or, if you are a bit of a looser, to wave over your head if Coldplay suddenly take to the stage. CONDOMS - Because without them, you won’t be gong to any festivals next year... SUNGLASSES - If the sun does come out
you’ll want them.
Reading and Leeds are two of the most pinnacle festivals of the Summer months. Mostly frequented by under 20 year olds, the line ups always reflect the very best mix of bands currently on offer and playing on Radio 1 and NME. Sunday is traditionally the heavier day, some might say, more emo; with Saturday bringing in the mainstream. Camping is normally pretty community-like with extra dance-vibe stages scattered among the tents alongside fires and happy campers.
READ ING AND LEEDS
Dates : 27th / 28th / 29th August Tickets : £75 (day) £180 (weekend) Camping : YES Alternative to camping: Campervans are an option as are many B&Bs around each area, try Reading-Hotel.locomotour.co.uk www.bedandbreakfasts.co.uk www.bestwestern.co.uk (Leeds) Train station : Reading Station / Leeds Station Person type : Young, music loving, often Emo, overall friendly crowd Music type : Mainstream . indie, rock Dress code : Hats, boots, ripped T-shirts, Converse Must Have : Loo Roll Extras : Not many here, it’s all about the music.
Finding friends Keeping clean Blagging backstage Meet a celebrity Rain Ease of journey Food Prices Opposite sex
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BEST OF THE BILL GUNS AND ROSES / QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE / BIFFY CLYRO / ARCADE FIRE / THE LIBERTINES / DIZZEE RASCAL / THE CRIBS / THE MACCABEES / BLINK 182 / PARAMORE / ENTER SHIKARI / CRYSTAL CASTLES / MYSTERY JETS / KLAXONS / LCD SOUNDSYSTEM / FOALS / BAND OF HORSES / THE DRUMS / YOU ME AT SIX / WEEZER / WILD BEASTS / MUMFORD AND SONS / THE BIG PINKS / YEASAYER / TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB / NEW YOUNG PONY CLUB
Bestival is all about dressing up and having a great time. Coming at the end of the Summer, this festival almost always has guaranteed sun. Always themed with a fancy dress option Bestival offers a range of other activities as well as a wealth of music. Run by DJ, Rob Da Bank, Bestival never falls short of talent or up and coming names. Bestival also includes extra activities aside from the usual stages for example the Afterburner Rave Up and the Sky Bonfire Extravaganza.
BEST IVAL
BEST OF THE BILL Dates : 9th / 10th / 11th / 12th September Tickets : £150 / Students £140 Camping : YES Alternative to camping : Campervans Bed and Breakfasts from £60 a night www.bedandbreakfasts.co.uk Train station : No train, get the ferry! www.redfunnel.co.uk/bestival www.wightlink.co.uk/bestival Person type : Ones that love to dress up! Music type : Pop, folk and rock Dress code : Fancy Dress - Fantasy! Must have : A Costume Extras : Fancy dress parade, new arenas The Wishing Tree and Tomorrows World. Website : www.bestival.net
Finding friends Keeping clean Blagging backstage Meet a celebrity Rain Ease of journey Food Prices Opposite sex
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THE PRODIGY / DIZZEE RASCAL / THE FLAMING LIPS / THE XX / LCD SOUNDSYSTEM / JÓNSI / MUMFORD & SONS / SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO / DELPHIC / ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN / THE TEMPER TRAP / ELLIE GOULDING / TINIE TEMPAH / EXAMPLE / ALEX METRIC / HURTS / VITALIC / OU EST LE SWIMMING POOL / THE TWINKLE BROTHERS / HIGH LLAMAS / I BLAME COCO /CRYSTAL FIGHTERS / THREE TRAPPED TIGERS / WORSHIP / FRENCH HORN REBELLION / DJ SETS FROM ROB DA BANK PLUS MYLO / ZANE LOWE / AEROPLANE / EROL ALKAN / LA ROUX
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FES TIVAL WEAR
Shorts are always a winner, these are £42.00. www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk
OUTFITS
Summer festival dress from zavvi.com £49.99. www.zavvi.com
It’s time to bring the dungarees back. I’m buying mine this weekend, these are from Rokit £25.00. www.rokit.co.uk
An alternative to wellies, these Dr Martens are a girly option. £85.00.
SHOES These wellies are half height so less heavy than the normal Hunter welly £50.00. www.hunter-boot.co.uk
THE BAG
Gola Statham Holdall, the perfect flexible festival suitcase. £45.00. www.zavvi.com
Converse are a festival staple, dry out quickly and can be put in the wash. £39.99. www.rubbersole.co.uk
HATS
£12.99 www.riverisland.com
FOR THE GIRLS
£5.00 www.store.americanapparel.co.uk
SUNGLASSES
Both £9.95 www.zavvi.com
£120.00 www.retrosuperfuture.com www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk
Heat up your summer with Zippo’s new flex neck utility lighter, hand warmer and famous windproof pocket lighter. They work great and look good. What would you expect from the number one name in heat and flame? Famous Zippo guarantee • Zippo.co.uk
Much the same mentality as Reading and Leeds, V Festival has two locations being Hylands Park and Weston Park with the same acts swapping over between the two destinations. With big names such as Cheryl Cole and The Pet Shop Boys, V is certainly a pop lovers paradise. Because of this, and the excellent (we hear) hospitality area, V is never short of a celebrity or two.
V FEST IVAL
BEST OF THE BILL Dates : 21st / 22nd August Tickets: £75- £165 Camping: YES Alternative to camping: www.stadiumhotels.com www.travelodge.co.uk Train station: Chelmsford Train Station / Stafford Rail Station Person type : Celebrity, cleaner festival goers, the people that don’t like mud and Pixie Lott. Music type : Pop and mainstream Dress code : Hunter wellies, a few labels, short skirts and bikini tops, Pixie Lott’s range at Lipsy. Must Have : A tan and some sort of floral print playsuit. Extras : Celebrities Website : www.vfestival.com
Finding friends Keeping clean Blagging backstage Meet a celebrity Rain Ease of journey Food Prices Opposite sex
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KINGS OF LEON / STEREOPHONICS / PAUL WELLER EDITORS / THE COURTEENERS / PASSION PIT / DAVID GUETTA / FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE / WHITE LIES / SCOUTING FOR GIRLS / THE TEMPER TRAP / NEWTON FAULKNER / PALOMA FAITH / KASABIAN / FAITHLESS / THE KOOKS / PAOLO NUTINI / MADNESS / SKINK ANANSIE / PIXIE LOTT / THE PRODIGY / PLAN B / CHERYL COLE / GROOVE ARMADA / CHASE AND STATUS / ELLIE GOULDING / THE CHARLETONS / PET SHOP BOYS / LA ROUX /
FES TIVAL WEAR
OUTFITS Keep bang on trend oh yeah - with this baseball jacket for all weather from Rokit £85.00. www.rokit.co.uk
Get colourful and get a T-shirt that stands out, your friends won’t loose you that way. This example is by Tits and available at Chemical Records £26.80. www.chemical-records.co.uk T-shirt from Insight at Chemical Records £20.42. www.chemical-records.co.uk
SHOES Go a bit Kick Ass and avoid the Dr Martens, opt for Cat instead. £89.99 Catapillar. www.catfootwear.com
Boots? Barbour are the way to go, £59.95. www.barbourbymail.co.uk These are a great alternative to Converse at £45.00 from Lyle and Scott. www.lyleandscott.com
Go for something a bit different with these Chatham Marine Classic Boat Shoes £69.00. www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk
Lightweight jackets are a God send when it rains. This one from Boxfresh via zavvi.com is also the army green that everyone will be wearing this Summer. £22.50. www.zavvi.com
FOR THE BOYS
American Apparel do a perfect in betweener top, this California Fleece Sleeveless Hoody can do no wrong, £24.00. www.americanapparel.co.uk A great Skinny option from Your Eyes Lie, £40.00. www.youreyeslie.com
BAGS
The Springer Bumbag from Eastpack has exactly the kind of zip you want. It comes in different colours but we like this one, especially for the boys. £12.00. www.eastpak.com
Rucksack from zavvi.com, by Bench, £22.95. www.zavvi.com
Both £9.95 www.zavvi.com
SUNGLASSES £85.00. www.retrosuperfuture.com www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk 17
Set in beautiful scenery Rockness is Scotland’s premiere festival and a perfect city getaway festival for those of you missing a view and the skyline. A relaxed mix of music and comedy, it even has a pub as part of the festivities. All of which make this a firm contender for your festival funds this year. The mix of established names and real grassroots means you can see the bands you already love and then find some more that are just starting out.
ROCK NESS
BEST OF THE BILL Dates : 11th / 12th / 13th June Tickets : £149 Camping : YES Alternative to camping : See www.lochnesswelcome. co.uk for B&Bs and hotels in the area. Train station : You need to get a flight to Inverness Airport Person type : The good people of Scotland and those prepared to travel for a great view and line up. Music type : An eclectic mix of folk, indie and Djs. Dress code : Straw hats and an inflatable piece of furniture much like the people in the photo below. Must Have : Plane tickets and some binoculars to spot nessy and maybe a giant net. Extra: Howard’s End Pub, next to the site provides comedy and more acts and is a perfect retreat when you want to be indoors for a bit.
Finding friends Keeping clean Blagging backstage Meet a celebrity Rain Ease of journey Food Prices Opposite sex
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FATBOY SLIM / FRIENDLY FIRES / THE STROKES / DOVES / BLONDIE / VAMPIRE WEEKEND / PENDULUM / ENTER SHIKARI / THE RAYSUMMERS / MONOCHROME / LEFTFIELD / SOULWAX / PLAN B / ALABAMA 3 / THE CUBAN BROTHERS / THE DUB PISTOLS / APHEX TWIN / TINIE TEMPAH / ZANE LOWE / AEROPLANE / KILA KELLA / BURN / DAN LE SAC VS SCROOBIUS PIP / ANNIE MAC / CLUB 75 / CASSIUS / GREEN VELVET / SILICONE SOUL / FERGIE / GARY BECK / EDIT SELECT / GOLDIEROCKS / STARSMITH / THE MACCABEES / ROB DA BANK /
JUST DON’T MISS ... words : Matt Hamm
Summers are a terrible time for the indecisive - So much to see and too much to choose from. From festival to festival, the cream of the musical crop sign their names up to their respective bills, whipping up a frenzy of interest and a delectable array of wonderful times to be had. We at Jack feel your pain and so have rather kindly picked out the best and most exciting bands to see at 2010’s Summer festivals because we are quite simply, lovely people. Cast your eye and make a choice…or you could just go to them all.
The Strokes - Isle of Wight Festival Saturday 12th June New York rockers return to form and to each other after a brief stint driving down the road of their solo careers. Currently recording new material, much to the excitement of anyone with sense, Julian Casablancas and the gang are set to make the Isle of Wight Festival sizzle. Sandwiched between Jay Zizzle on Friday and Sir Paul on the Sunday, The Strokes provide the tiny island with a potentially fantastic headline in their only UK performance of the Summer. Phoenix - Glastonbury Other Stage Friday 25th June Trendy French alt-rock band, Phoenix are not to be sniffed at. Their latest album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, won a bloody Grammy! So they’re entirely lovable sound and style make them an unmissable act at this year’s Glastonbury Festival. Sat upon Glastonbury’s ‘indie’ stage, The Other, the four-piece are sure to set spirits souring as thousands of fans descend on them during Friday afternoon. LCD Soundsystem - Wireless Festival 3rd July Rumoured that this will be their last major performance on the sunny shores of the UK, missing LCD Soundsystem will be a rather large ‘doh’ on your part. singer/musician/producer James Murphy has nailed a rather large nail into the LCD coffin with their final album This Is Happening released this May, so be sure to see the electro-dance-indie outfit before it’s too late. Or you’ll be up late on YouTube crying into your pot noodle watching All My Friends on screen, instead of on stage.
The XX - Latitude Festival 15th – 18th July This three piece indie-rock band were one of 2009’s most exciting new acts, scoring NME magazine’s 2nd place for the best album of the year. Their trippy, bass heavy beats and soft vocals are sure to seduce the socks’n’sandals off the most uptight soul; so watching them at one of the UK’s more intimate and laid back festivals can only be an enticing delight. Sun, cider and an older crowd are Latitude’s attributes, but The XX will guarantee some indie cool to this, Suffolk’s July music, arts and comedy festival. Temper Trap - V Festival 21st-22nd August Sovereign ring on finger and Nike tracksuit in arm, V Festival maybe one of the Summer’s more chavvy events but it does boast a particularly spectacular line up this year. Amongst these is Australia’s amazing Temper Trap, who impressed 2009 with their debut album and Summer anthem Sweet Deposition. They may not be quite 2010 enough for you, but this band are really quite brilliant live, with lead singer Dougie’s vocals a real treat for the ears. If you’re after a crisp and thoroughly enjoyable live experience, then the Temper Trap are not to be missed. The Libertines – Reading/Leeds Festival Saturday 28th August (Reading) & Friday 27th (Leeds) Finally back together after being apart for more than 6 years since dear Pete walked off stage back in 2004, indie superstars The Libertines will headline Leeds/Reading on the Friday/Saturday. Expect a sweaty, heated affair as the boys toy with the crowd, thrashing out their fans favourites to a completely enamoured crowd. Pete and Carl arm in arm, grinning from ear to ear (or maybe thrashing each other instead of their guitars) with musical joy can only be a good thing for us at Who’s Jack, so miss it and most definitely miss out. 21
Arcade Fire - Reading/Leeds Festival Saturday 28th August (Reading) & Friday 27th (Leeds) And again to Reading/Leeds…Canadian alternative legends Arcade Fire will also grace the stage with their truly brilliant sound come August. With a new album in the pipeline and a showcase completely inevitable, their soulful and momentous wall of sound is sure to stir the field of fans into a swirling wave of awe-inspired check shirts in their only UK performance of the year. Mumford & Sons - The Electric Picnic 3rd Sept – 5th Sept London’s folk-pop act Mumford & Sons have had a lovely year so far, etching their energetic and at times, beautiful tunes into your soul with stylish panache. Their live act isn’t too shabby either, turning wherever they play into an urban barn dance, loaded with stomping feet and arm in arm boogying as they pluck their banjos. Joining a whole host of diverse acts, Ireland’s Electric Picnic can only be bettered by this band, affirming that it isn’t just folk music…it’s M&S folk music. These New Puritans - Offset Festival 4th-5th September If you fancy a slightly cheaper weekend of muddiness, then let the green forestry of Hainault in Essex take your money and allow the dizzy, bassy beats of These New Puritans to coax you into a frenzied fit of joy. Weekend tickets with camping are only £65.00, and the Essex four-piece are guaranteed to tear it up at their home coming festival appearance, dishing out the biggest and best of their brand new album, Hidden.
Dizzee Rascal - Bestival 9th - 12th September Sir Dizzee of Rascal is an exciting headline wherever he may be playing, so sticking him at the year’s final festival bash and hoo-hah is quite possibly the greatest single decision ever made in the world, ever. Whether you agree or not - Dizzee is sure to get the crowd dancing, jumping and ‘getting old school’ upon the shy Isle’s derrière. Tinie T may be the apples UK’s urban charts’ eye currently, but Dizzee will have fazers set to stun for a crowd ready to be blown away by his charismatic on stage performance.
Other Options Include: Everything Everything - Bestival - 9th - 12th September Delphic - Bestival - 9th - 12th September Tinie Tempah - V Festival 21st – 22nd August Tinie Tempah - Wireless Festival - Sunday 4th July MIA - Big Chill - August 5th to the 8th Massive Attack - Big Chill - August 5th to the 8th Broken Bells - Glastonbury Park Stage Friday 25th June Wild Beasts - Lovebox Festival - Saturday 17th July These New Puritans - Offset Festival - 4th-5th September Get ready to know every word by getting the current albums at zavvi.com where you can get free delivery on everything.
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NO TENT? The One Stop Festival company is here to help with anything and everything you might need to enjoy the festival season. They offer you the must haves to give you a hassle free experience in buying your tent , sleeping bags, folding chairs, rucksacks, torches, flags, phone chargers, wellies, T-shirts, airbeds, pumps, glow sticks, WickedWedges, wallets and even a Travel John to pee in and a Sh*t Box to (you get the idea) saving you the hassle of joining a mile long queue to some stinking toilets, they really do think of everything. All products are available online. One Stop Festival have given Jack two beautiful tents to give away to someone in time to take them to a field this summer and get them muddy! Just join our mailing list online to win one. The winner will be picked at random at the end of the month (May).
WIN ONE.
NO TICK ETS?
Where there’s a skill there’s a way...
This year V launches the Summer of Give Campaign, give your time, get a ticket. V is The National Young Volunteers service launching this brand new incentive and they are inviting 18-25 year olds aboard the Bigvbus to give a bit of their time and share a bit of their talent with others. In return participants will get tickets to some of the most sought after festivals of the Summer including Isle of Wight, V Festival, T4 on the Beach, Relentless Boardmasters and Creamfields.
To take part get yourself to www.vinspired.com/summerofgive and tell V what free skills you can offer at each festival location. So whether it’s music, dance, photography, writing or even fashion styling skills that make you stand out from the crowd, V needs your help and for just four hours a day. That’s it! Not sure you have a special talent but still eager to get involved? 18-25 year olds looking for more general volunteering opportunities at festivals can still visit vinspired.com to see how else they can get involved in the festival scene for free this Summer.
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Deemed the Glastonbury of the North and now offering independent artists the chance to show their work at the festival Kendal is a great boutique option. Kendal was nominated the best grass roots festival and anyone can see why. With a beyond friendly atmosphere a great time is guaranteed.
KENDAL CALLING
BEST OF THE BILL Dates : 30th / 31st July / 1st August Tickets : £85 Camping : YES Alternative to camping : www.cumbria-the-lake-district.co.uk www.glastonbury.co.uk Train station : Penrith. Person type : Truly all sorts. Music type : Some great Djs and new names. Dress code : Anything goes. Must have : Comfy shoes and be ready to get involved. Extras : Games, art and more. Website : www.kendalcalling.co.uk
Finding friends Keeping clean Blagging backstage Meet a celebrity Rain Ease of journey Food Prices Opposite sex
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CALVIN HARRIS / WILD BEASTS / THE FUTUREHEADS / OK GO / DUB PISTOLS / EROL ALKAN / DJ YODA / PLUMP DJ’S / HIGH CONTRAST / SCRATCH PERVERTS / ELITE FORCE / JUSTIN ROBERTSON / DANNY BYRD / DOORLY / ESKIMO TWINS / EMALKAY / PEOPLE GET REAL / RICH REASON / KEN EVIL / ASH HOWELL / CRAIG CHARLES FUNK & SOUL SHOW / LANCASHIRE HOTPOTS
image : Sam Pearce
Secret Garden Party was indeed a secret to most until not too long ago. With the mentality of the festival being just as much, if not more, about the experience as the music this must be the top boutique festival option. Preferring to think of themselves as a temporary community rather than a festival The Secret Garden Party has a lot of different ideas. As the website says ‘It is a festival of the arts…where everyone is the artist.’
SECR ET GA RDEN
BEST OF THE BILL Dates : 22nd / 23rd / 24th / 25th July Tickets : £142.00 Camping : YES Alternative to camping : Boutique camping options with bell boys, posh toilets and showers, why go for a B&B? Train station : Huntingdon train station . Person type : Artists, creatives, private school kids. Music type : Unusual and new names. Plus The Gorillaz. Dress code : The theme this year is ‘Fact or Fiction’. Must Have : Imagination. Extras : All sorts of magical pass times. Website : www.secretgardenparty.com
Finding friends Keeping clean Blagging backstage Meet a celebrity Rain Ease of journey Food Prices Opposite sex
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GORILLAZ SOUND SYSTEM (DVJ) / MERCURY REV / MARINA & THE DIAMONDS / SKATALITES / THE JESSIE ROSE TRIP / THE WHIP / KATE WALSH / DAVID RODIGAN BELLERUCHE / GOLDEN FILTER / APPLES/ KID BOMBARDOS / CHARLI XCX/ DEATH METAL DISCO SCENE / PEARL AND THE PUPPETS /
ZIPPO LIGHTING FIRES 1. Flexible Neck Outdoor Lighter : £13.70 This Flexible Neck lighter can get into any nook or cranny and moreover, any back pack. You’ll never have an unlit campfire again, or BBQ for that matter as this lighter is both wind and rainproof. You will no doubt feel like James Bond with one of his gadgets, lighting your fire whilst all others around you fumble with soggy matches and sparking disposable lighters. 2. Mini MPL Candle Lighter : £9.75 Maybe for you girls, the Mini MPL Candle Lighter is more appropriate. Available in pastel shades - so on trend - Sea Foam Green, Pearl and Pink. Not only will this come in handy at festivals but it’s a great lighter to have around the home
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Festivals at night are cold, dark places, especially once you get back to your tent. Luckily Zippo has come up with a bevy of ideas to make the evenings more enjoyable, including hand warmers and fire lighters - windproof ones at that! You’ll be the toastiest tent in the field. www.zippo.co.uk Stockists : 020 8964 0666 for candles. 3. Classic Windproof Lighters : from £13.95 As mentioned in previous pages, if you do feel the need to wave a lighter in the air come that atmospheric anthem song then these lighters are the best pick of the bunch. Just be sure not to lend them to anyone, your unlikely to have one returned. These lighters range in price and there are hundreds more designs online. 4. Hand Warmer : £20.35 I will be buying one of these - this hand warmer lasts for up to 12 hours and can go in a pocket, in a sleeping bag, anywhere really. It will no doubt enable the owner to stay out that extra few hours without freezing their butt of like everyone else. Also way better than those jelly items that you click to warm up and only work twice (ever had one of those split in your bag? It’s not a pretty sight).
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Standon Calling offers some pretty exciting extras that other festivals don’t have. Intimate stages mean you don’t need to feel like you’re in a shoal and a friendly crowd really makes this festival feel like a party with friends. The place even has a pool and Tipis and extra areas that open at midnight when the main stages close. They really have thought of everything lacking elsewhere and made sure they are the ones to offer it.
STAN DON CALLING
Dates : 6th / 7th / 8th August Tickets : £35 - £95 Camping : YES Alternative to camping : Rent a furnished or unfurnished Tipi for the weekend from £450 (sleeps 4). Train station : Bishops Stortford or Ware. Person type : Friendly and music loving. Music type : An eclectic mix of new and upcoming acts. You’re sure to take home some new favourites. Dress code : Themed - ‘ Murder on the Standon Express’. Must have : A dip in the pool ! Extras : Speakeasys, art and Dr Sketchys. Website : www.standon-calling.com
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BEST OF THE BILL BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB / LIARS / THESE NEW PURITANS / GILES PETERSON / EGYPTIAN HIP HOP / EDDY TEMPLE MORRIS / DAVE HASLAM / FACTORY FLOOR / THE PHANTOM BAND / ESBEN AND THE WITCH / THE RUBY SUNS / YOUNG AND OTHER ANIMALS /
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Latitude is about 50% music, and good music at that. It is in a beautiful setting that really is moving come nightfall. The festival covers way more than just live music with film, comedy, literary and poetry readings thrown in for good measure. For this reason it might be for the inbetweener festival goer that is maybe not quite so keen on the mosh but still wants the experience.
LAT ITUDE
Dates : 15th / 16th / 17th / 18th July Tickets : £65 - £155 Camping :YES Alternative to camping : www.stablesathenhampark.com
www.bedandbreakfast-directory.co.uk Train station : Halesworth. Person type : Extra relaxed with numerous children and parents . Music type : A lot of new names, leaning heavily towards indie and folk. Dress code : Relaxed, relaxed, relaxed. Must Have : A headband, hat or cardigan. Extras : Comedy, poetry, literary arena, film. Website : www.latitudefestival.co.uk
Finding friends Keeping clean Blagging backstage Meet a celebrity Rain Ease of journey Food Prices Opposite sex
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BEST OF THE BILL FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE / EMPIRE OF THE SUN / LAURA MARLING / BELLE AND SEBASTIAN / THE MACCABEES / THE HORRORS / / YEASAYER / VAMPIRE WEEKEND / TEMPER TRAP / MUMFORD AND SONS / JONSI / THE BIG PINK / EGYPTIAN HIP HOP /
image : Tom Bunning
Held in London’s oldest park this three day festival is the perfect ‘get-away-from-it-allwhile-still-being-on-yourdoor-step’ for Londoners. Since it started seven years ago Lovebox has grown considerably with an impressive 50,000 people expected to come down this year. Time Out once said of Lovebox, ‘Festivals don’t come much better than this’ so if you live in London, or even if you don’t, and you’ve never been to check it out then 2010 should probably be your year.
LOVE BOX
BEST OF THE BILL Dates : 16th - 18th July Tickets: £45 for one day / £80 for two days / £99 for three days. Camping : No camping available. Alternative to camping: The City Inn Express, Victoria Park, www.cityinn.com.
Train station: London Fields Road over ground. Person type : Londoners looking to escape the rat race for three
images : James Lyndsay
days of drinking and dancing before going home each night to sleep in their own beds. Music type : A mish mash of many of the Top 40 selling artists at the moment as well as several new and up and coming bands with Sunday turning towards a slightly dance-ier side. Dress code : Urban gear (think hoodies, cool printed T’s and baggy jeans) Must Have : A fully topped up Oyster card for getting home Extras : Many of the surrounding pubs and bars extend their licenses for after parties that go on late in to the night. Website : www.lovebox.net
Finding friends Keeping clean Blagging backstage Meet a celebrity Rain Ease of journey Food Prices Opposite sex
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DIZZEE RASCAL/ CHASE & STATUS/ ELLIE GOULDING/ THE MACABEES / GRACE JONES / BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB / MISTAJAM / CHEW LIPS / MYSTERY JETS / MARK RONSON & THE BUSINESS / PALOMA FAITH / TIM WESTWOOD / WILD BEASTS / ROXIE MUSIC / YEA SAYER / EMPIRE OF THE SUN / HOT CHIP / PEACHES / HERCULES & LOVE AFFAIR / HURTS / NEW YOUNG PONY CLUB / CHROMEO / RIVA STARR / I BLAME COCO / GERNAUGHTS / CUT COPY /
T in the Park has come a long way since it was a two day festival with just a 17,000 person capacity. Now it is a three day event with seven stages (including an NME stage and a Red Bull area) and it now has a capacity of 85,000 people which is equal to the size of Scotland’s 5th largest town. This year they have some of the biggest names in music taking to the stage as well as fancy dress Friday. The Killer’s Brandon Flowers once said of T in the Park, ‘We thought Glastonbury would be the ultimate but T’s the one we remember’, so there you have it.
T IN THE PARK
BEST OF THE BILL Dates : 9 - 11 July Tickets: Weekend camping pass, £180 Camping: Yes Alternative to camping: The Lomond Country Inn, www.starstay.com. Train station: Glasgow, Edinburgh or Perth and then take the T in the Park Citylink shuttle bus. Person type : Pop loving festival goers who are also likely to want to go to Oxegen and V. Music type : Crowd pleasers who’s songs you know all the words to. Dress code : Anything that goes well with a mac and wellies. This is Scotland remember and good weather is not guaranteed. Must Have : Some Strepsils as you’re likely to lose your voice from singing along. Extras : Cinema, fairground, market stalls . Website : www.tinthepark.com
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MUSE / EMINEM KASABIAN / JAY Z FAITHLESS / STEROPHONICS / PAOLO NUTINI / VAMPIRE WEEKEND / BIFFY CLYRO / DIZZEE RASCAL / JOHN MAYER / THE VIEW THE PROCLAIMERS BLACK EYED PEAS THE PRODIGY / JAMIE T / FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE 30 SECONDS TO MARS / THE PRODIGY / THE TEMPER TRAP / WOLFMOTHER MADNESS / BABY SHAMBLES / GROOVE ARMARDA / MUMFORD & SONS /EMPIRE OF THE SUN
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BLAGGERS GUIDE words : Ashleigh Rainbird
There really is such a thing as a free lunch – as long as you’ve got the balls to blag one. And never is a free lunch more welcome than in the midst of a soggy field that charges a couple of hundred for the privilege to trudge through it when the annual pilgrimage of trendies arrive. But that’s only if you’ve made the mistake of paying for a ticket in the first place, of course.
off patch of soil sullied by a few suits enjoying their weekend slumming it, away from the masses. No fun. But if you find yourself in such a sitch, do look out for an elusive VVIP area where the bar, DJs and the fun times could be hiding. To be fully prepared, look up all the sponsors beforehand. Often, they’ll have an area within the main site that has an offshoot built for freeloaders.
Here at Jack, we believe the best things in life actually do come for free – especially at festivals where the alternative involves a) locating one of the few, sporadically placed cash machines and b) queuing for an hour and a half at it. So, as festival season looms, we’ve devised our top tips to getting all the perks for free. And perks they are! Backstage is a magical land, filled with free bars, edible food and flushable toilets – with loo roll and everything, we kid thee not. But that’s nothing compared to V Festival’s Louder Lounge – last year, at Chelmsford, they had a St Tropez spray tan booth, a Shu Uemura make-up counter where you could get a fresh face of slap every day, and a pampering parlour dishing out massages. Tent schment. Behind the main stage at Isle of Wight, bands play not-so-secret gigs on the less muddy bits of grass where they get pissed right alongside you – like, in a whole different field to the plebs! Media c**tiness aside, it’s worth being in there. So you need to be. And here’s how.
Once you’ve found your target, walk straight in. Seriously. But choose your timing carefully. Try to make sure you’re following close behind a group of actual VIPs – mingle among them if you can. Or, wait until a lesser experienced chancer tries, fails and causes a distraction, then laugh at their juvenility when you saunter past them. I personally find that speaking on the phone can help assist with the whole I’m-cool-and-VERY-important façade, which you absolutely must adopt if you want to make it inside. Then, if you get stopped, look suitably disturbed, play dumb and insist upon your right to pass. Pretend you’ve no idea what all the fuss is about – you assumed your wristband allowed you into that area because you are just so important, and you simply must be inside to perform a ridiculously important task, like pumping Lily Allen’s cushions or mending Florence and the Machine’s stage clothes. (NB – look up who’s performing an hour ahead, for added urgency). Name dropping is important – even if you don’t know any of the organisers. Make them up. The people at the gate probably won’t know them either, and it makes you sound like you know what you’re talking about.
First, know your target. Professional blaggers like myself have wasted many a moment getting arsey with the bouncers of a fruitless VIP area – a cordoned
Which brings me on to an important point. The people at the gate. I’ve been one of those people, and my experience taught me that they are predominantly bored students rather than meatheads or clipboard Nazis, working in return for a free ticket to the festival. So treat them as an equal. Strike up a conversation with them, and never underestimate niceness. Given the grief they’ll be given by the holier-than-thou, if nothing else, they’ll appreciate it. I’ve been let through because I’ve made people laugh trying – one merely applauded me climbing over a fence to get in. Legend. Alternatively, use an old gig wristband. I keep all mine and simply slip on a similar coloured one to what the VIPs are wearing, then show the bouncer it in a flash when they’re a little distracted. I once managed this with an offcut from an actual VIP wristband that I found when I was picking up my passes from the ticket booths. That was special. Be careful, and try not to get escorted off the premises. A no doesn’t always mean no – except when it does. And we don’t want you to miss the rest of the fest. But we do want to see you at the free bar. Good luck!
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Isle of Wight is another of the main staple festivals. Started in 1968, Isle of Wight festival has had some huge names tread the tent boards during its time. The likes of Bob Dylan and Jimmi Hendrix are just a start. A smaller line up than some but this my friends, simply means it falls under the boutique banner and is often better off for it.
ISLE OF WIGHT
BEST OF THE BILL Dates : 11th, 12th, 13th June Tickets : £65 - £150 Camping : YES Alternative to camping :
www.travelodge.co.uk www.sykescottages.co.uk/Isle-Of-Wight Train station : Ferry! www.wightlink.co.uk www.redfunnel.co.uk www.hovertravel.co.uk Person type : The relaxed music lover and Isle dweller. Music type : Established favourites, up to the minute indie rock and pop. Dress code : Sun tan lotion! Must Have : Picnic blankets are great for the daytime. Extras : Beautiful scenery. More : www.isleofwightfestival.com
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JAY-Z / FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE / CALVIN HARRIS / THE STROKES / BLONDIE / BIFFY CLYRO / VAMPIRE WEEKEND / PAUL MCCARTNEY / EDITORS / FRIENDLY FIRES / DOVES / MR HUDSON / CROWDED HOUSE / PALOMA FAITH / MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS / JULIETTE LEWIS / DAISY DARES YOU / I BLAME COCO / LA ROUX / THE SATURDAYS / NOAH AND THE WHALE / BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB / N-DUBZ / THE BIG PINK / REEF / OCEAN COLOUR SCENE / LOCAL NATIVES
SOMETHING A BIT DIFFERENT? words : Adam Roan Henderson
Winterwell Situated in a picturesque valley in the heart of the Cotswolds, Winterwell is an intimate festival for only 1,500 guests. Founded four years ago the festival is aimed at a discerning and sophisticated crowd. Norman Jay, DJ Yoda and We Have Band are set to make big noises for the little party and this year’s theme is ‘The Entire Works of Roald Dahl’ with guests entering a ‘Willy Wonka Wonderland’ on arrival. Dates: 18th, 19th and 20th June Price: £90 for the weekend. Luxury packages for £600 for two. Address: Secret location near Cirencester. Web: www.winterwell.co.uk Festinho Listed as a Top Ten Best Small Festival by the Guardian, charitably all profits from Festinho go to Action for Brazil’s Children Trust. With Pete Lawrence, co-founder of Big Chill Festival curating a stage and Phonica Records looking after the DJ stages on Saturday, the line-up is very eclectic. My picks from the list are mash-up DJs The Kleptones,
James Yuill and Hexstatic. There’s also comedy and cabaret or you can wind down with some bedtime stories around the campfires or check out the Picture House with live film re-scores. This year’s theme has not been announced yet but directions to the festival are, ‘Second to the right, and straight on till morning..’ Dates: 27th, 28th 29th August Price: £70 for the weekend Address: Hinwick House, Wellingborough, Bedfordshire. Web: www.festinho.com Norfolk & Norwich Festival If a shortage of cash or a hatred of camping turns you off the mainstream festivals then check out some of the 350 acts performing at the Norfolk & Norwich festival. Less than a couple of hours from London it has plenty of free events spread over sixteen days in May. With a Spiegel tent showing the UK premiere of La Vie, burlesque, cabaret and Coco Rosie plus lots of free outdoor art installations all over town (including the great Neon Signs) there’s plenty to see. Contemporary dance in the voyeuristic shape of Electric Hotel (7-9th May, free) from the director of Shunt, David Rosenberg will definitely be one to catch. Dates: 7th to 22nd May Price: Free – various Address: Various Web: www.nnf10.org.uk
RELENTLESS SUMMER BLOGGERS CAMPAIGN Ever fancied reporting from a festival? Interviewing your favourite acts and telling the world exactly what you thought of some of the countries biggest out door music events? Ever read a blog and thought ‘I could do better’? Well now here’s your chance. Who’s Jack have teamed up with Relentless Energy to give you the chance to win the ultimate Summer experience as an official 2010 Relentless Energy Blogger. We are looking for bloggers to report back from the 2010 Relentless Summer music and sports events. These will include festivals such as The Great Escape, Relentless Wakestock, Relentless NASS, Relentless Boardmasters, Reading, Leeds, Lovebox
HOW RELENTLESS ARE YOU? COULD YOU BE THE NEXT OFFICIAL RELENTLESS ENERGY BLOGGER?
and London Freeze. Who’s Jack will pick the winning bloggers who will then be required to attend the events, interviewing and photographing artists and athletes and then blogging about their experiences prior to, during and after the events. But don’t worry, Relentless will provide you with the best seats in the house to watch performances, backstage passes, and access to the artists and athletes to interview. At the end of the Summer Relentless, Who’s Jack and a celebrity guest will be picking the best blogger who will then go on to win their very own Who’s Jack column for three months as well as becoming the Official Relentless Blogger for 12 months documenting events, parties and experiences. The winner will be announced at the Relentless Energy Festival in October. If you’re interested send an email to relentlessbloggers@googlemail.com telling us in 100 words or less why you think you’d make a great blogger, along with what festivals you’d like to attend and if you’re successful we’ll let you know. For more information on Relentless Energy and the Relentless Summer activities head to www.relentlessenergy.com
South West 4 is one of the biggest London festivals. Held in Clapham Common the festival draws all sorts from all areas of the big smoke. With some great names and usually some pretty good food stalls this is a great festival if you can’t get out of London with plenty of pubs offering after festival drinks within walking distance for those not wanting the day to end.
SW4 WEEKENDER
BEST OF THE BILL Dates : 28th / 29th August Tickets : £45 Camping : NO Alternative to camping : www.chelseaguesthouse.co.uk www. belgravehotel.net Train station : Clapham Common Person type : Dance lovers Music type : Djs, dance, house and everything in between. Dress code : Shorts, short skirts, short tops. Must have : An urge to dance. Extras : It’s near the rube! Website : www.southwestfour.com
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ARMIN VAN BUUREN / FATBOY SLIM / CARL COX / / VITALIC / JOHN DIGWEED / JUDGE JULES / PAUL OAKENFORD / EROL ALKAN / DUBFIRE / MA DYNAMITE / MARK KNIGHT / JEROME ISMA-AE / GARETH EMERY / ANDY C
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images : Michael Mccarthy
Lounge on the Farm is one of the smaller festivals around and for this reason alone it’s one of the nicest. Jack’s December cover stars, Gaoler’s Daughter will be taking to the stage for their first festival experience alongside a host of emerging acts. If a less hectic festival experience is what you’re after then this is your kinda festival. You can sit on hay stacks, drink a nice cup of tea or a cider if that’s your thing and of an evening listen to some music while lying up looking at the stars.
LOUNGE ON THE FARM
BEST OF THE BILL Dates : 9 - 11 July Tickets: Adult weekend ticket ÂŁ95 Camping: Yes Alternative to camping: Train station : Canterbury Person type : Bearded men, farmers and cider lovers (we may be wrong though). Music type : A mish mash of indie, folk and rock. Dress code : Maxy dresses, checkered shirts and denim. Must Have : A straw hat Extras : Comedy, theatre, dance and burlesque performers. Website : www.loungeonthefarm.co.uk
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GAOLERS DAUGHTER / 6 DAY RIOT / KITTY, DAISY AND LEWIS / ASHLEY BEEDLE / BARRY ASHWORTH AND MC SIR REAL / BEARDY / MAN / CATS AND CATS AND CATS / CHA CHA / CHIEF CIRCULUS / COCOS LOVERS / COURTNEY PINE / DJ YODA DANNY & THE / CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD / DAM MANTLE / DON LETTS / CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN / GAGGLE / FIRST AID KIT / GOLD PANDA J*STAR / HOT CLUB DE PARIS
Can’t make the festival? Bring the festival to you
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